Why “I’m Just Not Very Tech Savvy” Is Inexcusable

We live in a tech-driven world; whether in the office, at home, the car, or even in sky, the convenience and access to vast amounts of information is always a fingertip away. If you ignore innovation, you risk rendering yourself obsolete. However, when you’re responsible for making technology investment decisions for an entire organization, being “Tech Savvy” is not a choice. The protection of any organization relies heavily on people who are well-informed on all the ins and outs of malware or other network security exploits.

It can be especially overwhelming when a single person is held responsible for keeping up with the monumental list of published vulnerabilities. While not every decision-maker may identify as an expert in network security, they should acknowledge these important areas to better protect their information:

Recognize the Importance of Investing in a Trusted Partner

Cybersecurity is a full-time job; even when organizations have an existing internal IT department, it is not uncommon to hear the resources are spread thin. In these situations, it’s less about whether your IT department has the ability, and more if they have the bandwidth to effectively manage Network Security. Consider providing supplemental network support as a compliment to your existing team, not a replacement.

Partnering with a trusted service provider can ease the burden for any organization’s IT department, from utilizing common Help Desk support to managing Network Security patches & updates. The only important thing to keep in mind when choosing an MSP is that you always get what you pay for, so be sure they are a highly reputable organization.

Keep Your Business Moving Forward with Proper Tools & Processes

Operating systems and software become obsolete over time. Often organizations forego updating end-user operating systems either because of the strain it places on internal resources, or the cost associated to licensing each machine. However, there are a few things to consider:

It May Not Be Optional: Depending on the industry, your organization could be required to operate using actively supported systems. For Example, PCI Compliance, 201 CMR 17:00, and HIPPA Compliance all have guidelines for storing and protecting sensitive records. In the event of a data breach or audit, enforcement could administer fines for each violation, should it be determined your organization failed to comply with their interpretation of “best efforts”.

It Is Cost Prohibitive: While there may be initial savings for not updating systems, the sheer number of vulnerabilities to your network after a system falls outside of support will likely result in an eventual data breach. The cost of downtime, backup recovery and restoration, as well as potential liabilities for failure to protect your data far surpasses the cost of updating your systems.

The only certainty we have is that the security landscape will continue to evolve at a rapid pace. Business executives and IT departments must work together to ensure they possess the proper coverage for their organization. To learn more about the tools or ways a Managed Service Provider could help supplement your existing IT, Contact Us today!